BookCamp Halifax (#bchfx10): The Value of Community I attended and moderated a session at BookCamp Halifax 2010 this past weekend. As per usual I left feeling like my brain was exploding with new ideas, but instead of writing a session recap, I want to focus on why I think this BookCamp was successful.
If you want to check out videos of the sessions from BookCamp Halifax 2010, head over to haligonia.ca .
I started off the day with a session on online communities with Kimberly Walsh and Eric Rountree. At some point, someone made the statement that: if you treat the book like a social object, the community will figure out what it wants to do with it. I think that really set the tone for the day and we, the community, took it and ran with it.
At some point, every one of the organizers came up to me and apologetically said something about the unconference being small, and that they hoped for more people next year — but that’s not the point! It doesn’t matter what size the unconference, what matters is that every single person there felt like they were part of a community no matter their age, location, or professional background.
I think it was that sense of community — that sense of belonging — that made everyone feel comfortable enough to share their experience and opinions, both professionally and personally. The audience members totally hijacked the sessions, but that’s exactly what I wanted to see happen. Session moderators only did the introduction, then ideas bounced around the room for an hour until we had to cut people off. It was fantastic.
Great work to all of the organizers: Kimberly Walsh , Ryan Jones , Robbie MacGregor , and Eric Rountree . And a big thank you to all of the attendees — you made it your own and I’m glad I could be a part of it.
This really was the vibe of the day. And not to treat the audience like exotic creatures, but I wonder if this inclusiveness is something that can only happen when BookCamp is hosted outside of the “hub” of publishing in downtown Toronto, away from the convenience and privilege of easy access. I can’t remember if you’d left the after pub session by this point, but I believe (if memory serves) that I suggested that Torontonians need to remember what it takes to work to get to these camps, somewhere off the grid, not directly off transit. Bids included: Toronto Island and either end of the Bloor Line. Maybe? Or should I just gather my marbles and go home?
“I suggested that Torontonians need to remember what it takes to work to get to these camps, somewhere off the grid, not directly off transit. Bids included: Toronto Island and either end of the Bloor Line. Maybe? Or should I just gather my marbles and go home?”
Cool! I like this idea: make people work for it and see who still shows up. Now I need to go re-submit that BookCamp Toronto survey.
There was talk of a BookCamp Guelph for a while — that could serve the same purpose. I’ll get Tim on it again.
Side note: I like that you’ve stepped a little bit farther over the line towards my data-collection nerdiness.
I totally agree, Bookcamp Halifax was a success because it helped build community, not for the number of attendees. For an inaugural event—and we do plan on making it an annual thing—Bookcamp Halifax brought together a broad group of people interested in reading. And it was that focus on reading which really engaged participants. We don’t want “warm bodies” in the seats: we want lively participants, ready to talk about what excites them.
Thanks Booknet for your support. And thanks to all our participants and moderators for being a lively bunch.
When Kimberly Walsh asked the audience to define community, I was stunned. I couldn’t, for the life of me, remember, outside courtesy, a presenter had simply asked attendees what their entry point was. Kudos to KM for recognizing that the conversation can’t start if the very participants *in the room* don’t have a voice. Road show. That’s all I have to say.
To MM’s side note: For reals, I’d intern for a half day a week to learn more. I’m genuinely fascinated. You think on that.